Floor and roof construction



July 31,1934. 1 AV FERGUSON 1,968,034

FLOOR AND ROOF CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. l4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGURE 8 July 31', 19344. 1 Al FERGUSON 1,968,034

I UGTION Filed Dc. 14, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 f/ HEURE lo Patented July 31, 1934 SATES PAT-ENT Fries' FLOOR AND EOGF CONSTRUCTION John Ashley Ferguson, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application December 14,1929, vSerial'No. 414,052

' 17 claims. (o1. 'z2-66) I My invention relates to improvements in composite floor or roof constructions and to'novel forms of hollow tiling for use therein.

More particularly, my invention contemplates a reinforced concrete and hollow tile construction in which a maximum of preformed tiling and a minimum of concrete, or the equivalent, is employed, preferably no concrete being used above the tiling, the parts being carefully proportioned to give the necessary strength at each point with a minimum of material, whereby a reproof flooring of great simplicity, capable of being easily and speedily assembled, quicksetting,l of light weight, great strength and rigidity, expansible under the influence of great heat without breaking, and of low cost,ris`produced. l v

In prior practice where floor and roof constructionsrwerermade of flat top tiles without superposed concrete, or the like, it has been the common practice to locate the adjacent reinforced concrete joints suihciently closetogether to permit the space between them to` be spanned by a single tile, whereas in structures Where this space was chosen sufficiently great to require two or more tiles arranged in series to span it, it has been the common practice to employ a superposed bed of concrete to lend strength to the structure and bind its parts together. .In the first case eX- cessive quantities o f concrete were used byreason of greater number of joists employed, and inv the second case excessive quantities were used in the superposed bed. f-

By my invention I overcome the defects of both of these constructions while securing the advantages inherent in each. On the `one hand I dispense with the greater number of joistsl by em,- ploying two or more tiles in series' between adjacent more widely separated joists and on the other hand I dispense with the necessity forthe use of a. superposed bed of concrete, or. its equivalent, above the tiles and joists, ThisI accomplish by the use of a tile structure having its. partsso proportioned and correlated to the tile or tiles of similar construction in series therewith and to the joists that the localized stresses, strainsV and shears always encounter material so disposed and proportioned andv of such compressive, tensile, shearing and bonding strengths as to be adequately capable cf sustaining them and transmitting them tothe adj aeent members, with'a large factor of safety, the stress relationship between elements of the composite construction being dependent upon the relationship existing between their respective moduli of' elasticity'.

Inl the preferred embodiment ont' my invention: I

provide between the iiatrtop tiles bridging in series the space between adjacent joists, narrow, conveniently V-shaped, openings or spaces lled to the level of the tiles and joists with concrete or similar material whereby an exact t is secured regardless of imperfections in the shape of the tiles. The joists. are also preferably made relatively WiderY at their' tops than at their bottoms because the compressive stresses in the concrete are greatest at their tops.

As a further important feature of my invention,

of general utility, I provide each tile with a horizontal web, located substantially on the neutral axis `of the iloor or roof construction. This position of the horizontal web provides anew property therefor, viz., greater capacity toresist longitudinal horizontal shears which are greatest on the neutral axis. This web also transfers, by means of horizontal shears, forces to the opposite side of the tile'away from the concrete joisted element, thus developing shears and compressive stresses in the oppositely placed top'side shell whichin Vturn develops compressive stresses in this opposite end of the top shell. This permits utilizing these. side and top shells more fullyto l carry stresses, strengthens the constructionand increases theeliicieney di the system. Vertical webs may also be advantageously provided.

As a still further feature of my invention, valso of general utility, I may provide a free opening or space between the bottoms of the tiles, to permit expansion thereinto of the lower portions of said tiles, in case of iire, to prevent crushing or breaking their adjacent lower'corners. This opening mayr` also be employed to receive and retain in its l lower portion plaster from the ceiling to retain the latter in place. The opening may also Vbe so shaped. within theV spirit of my invention, as to serve as a conduit for electrical conductors, or the like. 1'. alsoy preferably make' the-lower side shells of my tiles of thinner construction than the upper portions,V and inclined, .to facilitate their bending in caseI of. fire. This results also in a substantial saving of material and reduction. in the deadweight. The outer faces of thesey shells are preferably inset.v from the outer faces of the upper sideshe-lls; to:y constitute. shoulders which serve: to space adjacent tiles.l from each other and as anchors tot secure the l tiles' firmly inV theconcretel joists. These' shouldersy are preferably located just. below they neutral axis to1 provide a tIrIicKened' portion for carrying stresses' accumulatingj` at theneutrah axis. Y Asa' further feature of. myiinventioni ll preferably provide, iilletsirr all. of the corners. but particularly in the corners between the flat tops of the tiles and the adjacent top side shells to assist in carrying the accumulated shearing stresses under load which are greatest at the concrete joisted element. The top and upper side shells are also preferably made relatively thick to resist the compressive and shearing stresses.

A further important eature of my invention consists in providing between the tiles bridging the space between adjacent joists other tiles adapted to closely fit between said rst mentioned tiles, but provided with cells at an angle to the cells in said first-mentioned tiles to serve as cross conduits for electrical conductors or the like. These tiles may conveniently be made in two parts, the upper parts, preferably of myV standard construction, being capable of use alone in thin floor structures, or with lower portions of graded thicknesses for thicker floors. These cross-wire tiles, usually employed also in series relation, may engage the joists at their ends and may conveniently be braced at their intermediate portions by members, preferably stamped from sheet metal, supported from the adjacent floor structure. Where a two-part tile is employed the lower part may be supported in this manner, the conductors then laid upon it, and the upper tile portion with open lower cell at its bottom, then placed thereover.

While I have shown the several features of my invention in cooperative relationships which give maximum eiciency, it is obvious that they may be advantageously employed severally in other combinations.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciaction and showing for purposes of exemplication preferred forms and manners in which the invention may be embodied and practiced but without limiting the claimed invention to such instance or instances:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my floor or roof construction;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a detached tile of the character shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a modied form of tile;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2 but embodying the modified form of tile shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a further modified form of tile;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2 but embodying a still further modied form of tile;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1, showing a form of cross-tiling adapted to serve as a conduit for electrical conductors or the like;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the tiling in Fig. 8 showing the final step in its manufacture.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a floor structure comprising spaced main supporting members 1, which may conveniently take the form of reinforced concrete girders, as illustrated, or steel girders, or the like, and at regular intervals between these girders are located the joists 2, preferably of reinforced concrete. Spanning the space between two adjacent joists are the tiles 3, advantageously arranged in series of two, end to end, (although the number may be varied within the spirit oi my invention) the extreme ends of a pair being supported by the respective joists and the adjacent ends of each pair being preferably separated by a key member 4 conveniently composed of concrete.

As shown in'Figs. 2 and 3, each tile, 3, comprises a flat top shell, 5, bottom shell, 6, upper side shells, 7, lower side shells, 8, inset at their upper ends from the top shells, 7, to forni rounded shoulders 9, a horizontal web, 1G, land vertical web, 11. The top shell 5 and top side shells 'l are made relatively thick and strong, in order to enable them to carry their loads without the necessity of employing superposed concrete. Fillets 12 are also preferably formed between them and are designed of such strength as to transmit horizontal and inclined shearing forces from the side shells 'l to the top shells 5 where they are transformed into compressive forces. Similarly, iillets 13 are formed between the horizontal web 10 and side shells 7 and 8, Yand fillets 14 are formed between the bottom shell 6 and side shells 8. The horizontal web 10, which functions as a horizontal sub-girder, is located substantially on the neutral axis of the composite construction, as computed when all elements are contributing their full theoretical eiiects, and is designed to resist eiciently those horizontal shears which are greatest at the neutral axis where bending or ilexural stresses are at the minimum, this web thus serving to increase the rigidity of the structure and reduce the cumulative effects of such forces upon deflection. The shoulders 9 are located substantially at the neutral axis and provide an enlargement of the area of bonding contact between the concrete and the tiles, thus reducing the unit stress in shear upon such contact surfaces while simultaneously providing, together with the llets 13, an increase in crosssectional area of the sides and web at this point, thereby effecting a reduction in the unit stresses transferring shears in this region.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, it is seen that the shoulders of adjacent tiles abut at a point midway between the joists 2, thus serving as a bottom for the wedge-shaped concrete key member 4, and preventing the concrete from falling into the space l5 below the same. They also serve to prevent the tiles falling away from the concrete joists. The concrete key members 4 completely fill the space above the shoulders and compensate for any irregularities of the tiles, thus preventing any tendency for the latter to settle at this point. l

The spaces 15 are formed between the lowerinclined side shells 8 and shoulders 9 and are open at their lower ends, 16, between adjacent bottom shells 6, to permit the expansion of said bottom and side shells, in case of re. The bottom and lower side shells are preferably made thinner than the top and upper side shells, the lower side shells being inclined and made relatively long and the adjacent llets being designed to cooperate therewith to permit differential expansion of the parts, when heated, without breaking. The open ends 16 may also be utilized to receive portions of the ceiling plaster to retain the latter in place.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is shown a modified form of tile in which the lower side shells 25 are inclined inwardly, the bottom shell 26 extending beyond the side shells to form ledges or shelves 27, two adjacent tiles forming the space 28 between them, and the ledges or shelves being spaced apart at 29, to permit expansion. The space .28 constitutes a convenient conduit for electrical conductors, or

the like. i

In Fig. 6 is shown a furthermodication'of tile in which the lower side shells and bottom shell of the former tiles are, in effect,A omitted.- and the top shell 33 is extended to form a shelf or ledge 34 extending beyond thefupper ends of the sideY shells 35, a bottom shell 36 and vertical webs 37 being also provided. This tile isl of very simple construction, highly efficient, and is adapted for use where conditions are not too severe. Where a tile of greater strength is required,`the tile of Fig. 6 may be modied, asshown in'Fig. 7, by making it deeper and providing therein a horizontal web 40 and vertical web 41, as shown;

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 is shown a form-,of crosstile designed to carry electrical conductors,- or the like,V at an angle to their direction in the tiles 3, or joists 2, as the case may be. To this purpose, a pair of cross-tiles -50 in. series relation may conveniently be designed to occupy the same space as that occupied by a pair of standard tiles 3 3, as shown in Fig. l. The cross-tile 50 mayV conveniently comprise an upper portion 5l and a lower portion .52, as-shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the lower portion conveniently comprising a, tile provided with cells 53 extend.- ing in the same direction as the cells inthe standard tiles 3. The upper portion 51 is 4also provided with cells, but these cells extend at an angle to the cells in the lower portion, being, in fact, shown at right angles thereto. The upper portion may conveniently be designed with a comparatively large central cell 54, provided with an open bottom, and through which conductors 55, or the like, may pass. In constructing the floor the lower portion 52 is conveniently first placed in position and held in place, preferably by sheet metal pieces 56, which are inserted between the ends of the lower portion and the ends of the adjacent tiles 3, the ends of the metal pieces being bent preferably over the central web of the tiles 3 and under. the upper side of the tile portion 52. The conductors 55 may then be laid in proper position on the top of the lower portion and the top tile portion 51 placed there-above, the ends of the cross-tile portions being, of course, rmly seated in the adjacent joist members after the concrete is in place. Obviously where a oor of moderate thickness is employed, a single cross-tile member, similar to 51, corresponding to the thickness of the iloor may be employed, its lower central cell preferably being closed at the bottom. This cross-tile member may be adopted as standard construction, and,

where floors of greater thickness are employed, may be supplemented with a second cross-tile portion corresponding to 52, which may be made of different thicknesses to accommodate floors of different thicknesses.

As shown in Fig. 10, for convenience in molding the upper portion of the cross-tile, a temporary bottom may be provided for the lower central cell, as shown at 57, which bottom may be subsequently knocked out to provide an open bottom cell. The upper portion of the cross-tile is, of course, designed to carry the compressive forces transmitted thereto by the adjacent portions of the flooring or roof structure, just as in the case of the standard tiles 3.

It will be understood that in order to properly bond the concrete floor nish or plaster to the surfaces of the tiles with which contact is made, such contact surfaces may be roughened, scored or dove-tailed in the conventional manner.

' While, ink accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described `the best forms of my. invention nowknown to me, it will beunderstood that changes may be made in the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my 'invention as covered by the claims, vand that certainfeatures of m-y invention may sometimes be'used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

I claimv as my invention:

1. Inra composite reinforced concrete and hollow tile construction, in combination: joist members in spaced relation; a plurality of tiles between opposite points of consecutive joists having their tops in spaced relation; and concrete key members located in said last mentioned spaces, the tops of the joists, tiles and key members lying in the same plane and adapted to carry the compressive lforces imposed bythe load on the structural system.

2. In a composite reinforced concrete and hollow tile construction, in combination; joist members iii-spaced relation; a plurality of tiles between opposite points of consecutive joists having their tops in spaced relationand contacting at a point below thetop; and concrete key members located in saidlast mentioned spaces, the tops/of the joists, tiles and key members lying in the' Same plane-and adapted to carry the-compressed forcesof the-structural system.v f

members in spaced relation and a plurality of tiles f between opposite points of adjacent members;

the upper and lower portions of adjacent tiles other.

4. In a composite reinforced concrete and hollow tile construction, in combination; supporting members in spaced relation and a plurality of contacting tiles between opposite points of adjacent members, the lower portions of adjacent tiles being normally spaced apart.

5. In a floor or roof construction Vin combination; supporting members in spaced relation; hollow tiles in series between opposite points of said members, the upper portions of said tiles constituting the load compression portions, and the lower portions of adjacent tiles being separated by a free space and comprising members capable of expansion into said space, when heated, without breaking said tile.

6. In a iloor or roof construction in combination; supporting members in spaced relation; hollow tiles in series between opposite points of said members, said tiles being provided intermediate their tops and bottoms with horizontal webs; portions of adjacent tiles below said webs being spaced apart and being relatively thinner than the portionsof said tiles above said webs.

7. In a reinforced concrete and hollow tile construction: spaced joists; a plurality of hollow tiles between opposite points of adjacent joists provided with shoulders intermediate their top and bottom to prevent said tiles from falling away from said joists and for spacing the upper and lower portions of adjacent tiles from each other; and keys between the upper portions of adjacent tiles, the tops of said joists, tiles and keys lying in the same horizontal plane, and adapted to carry the compressive forces of the structural system.

8. In a reinforced concrete and hollow tile construction: spaced joists; a plurality of hollow tiles in series between opposite ,points of adjacent joists, said tiles vbeing provided with horizontal webs located substantially on the neutral axis of the composite structure for resisting the horizontal shears therein. y

9. In a reinorced concrete and hollow tile iioor construction in which the cells of the tiles normally extend in a given direction, a hollow tile designed to iit in said floor construction but having its cell or cells extending at an angle to said first named cells whereby conduits transverse to said first named cells are provided for the passage of electrical conductors and thelike.

10. In the combinationdened in claim 9, suspension members for supporting said tile mem-` ber from adjacent oor members.

11. In a reinforced concrete and hollow tile floor construction in which the cells of the tiles normally extend in a given direction, a two-part tile construction designed to t. in said floor con'- struction, said two-part tile comprising a lower member adapted to be first placed in position to maintain the adjacent parts of the door in place, and an upper member having a cell or cells extending at an angle to said irst mentioned cells whereby conduits transverse to said first inentioned cells are provided for the passage of electrical conductors or the like. l2. A two-part hollow tile construction comprising an upper member provided with an open bottom cell and a lower member 'adapted to constitute a closure for said cell when the upper member is placed thereon, whereby a conductor or the like may be first laid upon said lower member and then enclosed by placing above it the open-bottom cell of the upper member.

13. A hollow tile provided with a horizontal web intermediate its top and bottom, the portions of said tile below said web being relativeb thinner than its upper portions.

14. A hollow tile provided with relatively thick upper or load compression portions and relatively thin lower portions inset from the upper portions to permit expansion of the lower portions into adjacent free spaces without fracture when heated. v n f 15. A hollow tile having its maximum width intermediate its top and bottom and the upper portion of a side sloping inwardly towards the top from said region of maximum width, the lower portion ofthe same side being inset inwardly on the line of maximum width and extending downwardly and outwardly to the bottom.

16. A composite concrete and tile construction comprising a plurality of tiles contacting each other at their intermediate points, the upper and lower portions of the tiles being normally spaced apart, and a concrete key member in the space between the upper portions.

17. In the combination deiined in claim 15 a transverse web in the line of its maximum width.

.` JOHN ASHLEY FERGUSON. 

